Westminster mayor says good-bye...and hello

WESTMINSTER – For at least half an hour at the last City Council meeting, outgoing Mayor Margie Rice was presented with resolutions, plaques and gifts in honor of her retirement. She even got a street sign with her name as a keepsake: Margie L. Rice Way.

But the 83-year-old mayor – known for her outspoken ways – isn't ready for retirement after all.

She wants to be appointed to the seat left vacant when Councilman Tri Ta was elected mayor.

"Everywhere I go, people are saying, 'What are we going to do? You have the background. You know the finances," Rice said. "I just feel that I need to be there."

The new council will be sworn in Wednesday and will decide whether to hold a special election or appoint a new colleague to the council.

Rice isn't the only one who wants the job.

Councilman Tyler Diep, who lost his post in the past election by some 200 votes, would like the seat. So would other candidates, including retired Assistant City Manager Penny Loomer, who has sought a council seat four times and said she came within 25 votes of winning in a previous race. Along with their supporters, the candidates are letting the new council know they're interested.

Candidate Al Hamade said he doesn’t intend to apply. “It was already decided before the election who would be appointed,” he said.

Rice said she's the best qualified because she has the experience and knowledge of the city. And, referring to the candidates who lost in the election, she said "there's no such thing as a runner up."

"I personally feel if you lose the election, you lose because people don't want you."

Behind the scenes, there's been considerable jostling for the vacant seat. Diep sought an endorsement from Rice, who does not have a vote on the appointment because next Wednesday will be her last day on the council. She said he came to her home twice "to try to talk me into supporting him." One of those times was Thanksgiving Day and the mayor was busy making gravy.

"He came over on Thanksgiving Day and brought pie," Rice said. "I had a pecan pie. I didn't need a pie."

Incoming Councilwoman Diana Carey said she's getting plenty of calls on the subject.

"I'm getting a lot of feedback from the community as to who they would like to see in that seat and who they don't want to see in the seat," Carey said.

Carey and Sergio Contreras will be sworn in Wednesday as the new council members and Ta will be sworn in as the new mayor – the first Vietnamese American elected mayor in the country. One of their first tasks will be to decide whether to approve a special election or appoint someone to the open seat.

"I'm not in favor of a special election, given our financial situation," Carey said, referring to the fact that the city laid off 67 employees and continues to face financial difficulties.

Carey said she leans toward appointing Rice. The six-time mayor is knowledgeable about the city and does a good job representing the entire community, she said.

"There's a lot of support for her. She's an honored figure in our community," Carey said.

All the candidates Rice endorsed in the past election won. She did not endorse Diep for council but had endorsed him for an Assembly seat before he pulled out and sought re-election in Westminster.

Both Rice and Carey said an appointment of the long-time mayor to the council seat would not be political payback for her election-time endorsement.

"I didn't choose them because I could control them or tell them what to do. I chose them as candidates because they were the best people for the city," Rice said. "I'm not sure I will be appointed. They have a mind of their own."

Diep would not say what he expects the new council to do Wednesday. "It's up to the council to decide how they want to fill that vacancy. If they want to go the appointment route, it's up to them to decide who they want to work with."

Diep has approximately $100,000 left in his war chest from his earlier bid for Assembly. He declined to say this week what his next move would be if not appointed by the council

Rice – who has been councilwoman or mayor for 18 years – said at the last council meeting that she had stayed "too long" as mayor and was happy to turn the gavel over to Ta. She also said: "I will not fade away. I will be active. I will be here and I will still voice my opinion."

But she gave no indication at the time that she would seek the vacant seat.

Rice said she decided to run after getting a clean bill of health from her doctor following a cancer scare. And she emphasizes she is the most experienced to move the city through future tough financial waters.

"I'm the one who can help the new people to move forward," Rice said. "If people don't want me, all they have to do is call and say they don't want me."